On Sept. 15, four esteemed Vermont residents filed a petition with the Federal Trade Commission alleging that Green Mountain Power has and is engaging in deceptive marketing practices.

Specifically, an electrical utility cannot both claim to be providing low/no carbon electricity and sell the Renewable Energy Certificates. To date, Green Mountain Power has sold Renewable Energy Certificates valued at $22 million and provided its customers with brown energy that has been characterized by GMP as low/no carbon.

Vermonters are grateful to the petitioners: Bruce Post of Essex, Curt McCormack of Burlington, Charles Johnson of East Montpelier and Kevin Jones of Chittenden.

While we await the decision of the Federal Trade Commission, all citizens should wonder why the state of Vermont did not raise these criticisms of GMP's marketing practices.

How did the alleged deception slip by the Department of Public Service and the Public Service Board which are paid by our taxes to protect our interests?

How did the chairman of the House committee which passed the enabling legislation become a director of government affairs for Green Mountain Power?

Why did the Vermont court system allow Green Mountain Power to blow up land owned by Don and Shirley Nelson in the autumn of 2012 against the Nelson's objection?

Why is Gov. Shumlin such a strong advocate for GMP?

What is becoming apparent is the ugly face of a corporatocracy. A necessary feature for a corporatocracy to succeed is citizens who acquiesce.